Pastors, "Shepherd the Church of God"

God Loves Us
God's Caring, Saving, and Upholding Love

God's Preserving Love

Acts 20:25-28. The Message

25-27 “And so this is good-bye. You’re not going to see me again, nor I you, you whom I have gone among for so long proclaiming the news of God’s inaugurated kingdom. I’ve done my best for you, given you my all, held back nothing of God’s will for you.
28 “Now it’s up to you. Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.

For Reflection

I remember the old spaghetti westerns. Inevitably, a person pursued by the bad guys sought refuge in a Christian sanctuary. Many times this hallowed ground was respected, even by the bad guys, and the person was sheltered from immediate harm.  Today, I cringe at the thought that our church locks all doors save the main entrance to the sanctuary, and yet, I understand the threat which motivates it.  Locking doors is an easy answer to a threatening world.

The threat of physical harm, however real, is not the only threat Christians face.  How well are we protected from false prophets, who confuse the promise of the gospel with material prosperity, or preach retribution instead of reconciliation? How are we protected from a would where fear and hate overpower hope and love.  How are we protected in a culture where truth is an illusion and considered irrelevant?

To discern the difference between the various ways Christians narrate the world in which we live is a difficult task.  Only study, open discussion, and prayer can protect us from taking false paths to Grace.

Pray

Resolve that you will spend more time praying about and discussing the Scriptures.  Pray so that you will find an authentic path to righteousness.